Mary MacKillop Newsletter

Principal

Dear Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College Community,

 

This is our last Newsletter for Term 3. I wish everyone a safe, restful and enjoyable break.

 

College Assembly – Walkathon Presentation of Cheques

On Tuesday this week, we held a College Assembly primarily to present to the five charities we are supporting this year with their allocation of the donations accumulated through the Walkathon and Homeroom fundraising activities. 

 

We raised over $7,500 with approximately half from the Walkathon and the remaining third from the homeroom activities. Charities supported were: Fusion; Asylum Seekers Resource Centre, St Vincent de Paul; Sister of St Joseph Peru; Trinity Families; and Mackillop Today.

 

Below is an edited version of my speech to the College.

We gather here today to celebrate the achievement of our community in raising money for the charities we supported this term. As we look back on the past 10 weeks that has passed, let us also take a moment to reflect on the power of unity and the importance of supporting one another.

 

As the quote by Roger Ingersoll goes, "We rise by lifting others." This sentiment encapsulates the essence of human connection and the transformative impact we can have on each other's lives. When we choose to uplift those around us, we not only help them to succeed but also enrich our own experiences.

 

However, we cannot achieve great things alone. As Helen Keller reminds us, "Alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much." When we come together as a community, we create a powerful force for positive change.

 

Let us strive to embody these principles in our daily lives. Let us be there for one another, offering support, encouragement, and “looking after one another”. Let us continue to work together to co-create a community where everyone feels valued, respected, and included.

By doing so, we will not only make a difference in the lives of others but also find greater meaning and purpose in our own. 

 

Thank you to everyone who made the effort to raise money for those who need help as well as those who supported your fundraising efforts. Anne Frank once said “No one has ever become poor by giving”. 

 

In particular, I thank our Walkathon Committee comprising: Ms Nicole Dudman, Mr Scott Blencowe, Mrs Jackie Van Dillen, Ms Jo Callister, Ms. Mary Tye, Mrs Jess Stein, Mrs Nia Robinson, Mrs. Melissa Preston, and Mrs Jenny Damon. The group also comprised our student leaders: School Captain Dinisty Francis, Vice-Captain Molly Heber and Justice Captain Sandra Dyke.

 

ATSI Year 12 Graduation Dinner

Thanks to Laura Muranty for all her work to ensure that Sophie Wright and her parents, Kylie and Sam, and I could attend the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Year 12 Graduation Ceremony and Dinner on Friday, 13 September. The dinner was held at the Catholic Leadership Centre in Melbourne and was attended by students from Catholic Schools throughout Victoria as well as well as two family members.

 

Art Show and Soiree

Last night we held our Art Show and Music Soiree. It was a great night with student work on display both before the Soiree and during the intermission.

 

The Soiree was performed before a packed house in our Auditorium. We saw over 20 high-standard performances from students in all Year Levels. 

 

We saw them perform individually, in small and large groups as well as full group performance. The night finished with a staff band performance. 

 

It was great to not only see and hear the students, but also to witness the support they received from peers, family, and staff. 

 

Thank you to all staff involved in the night, but I specifically want to highlight the work of Beth Winterhalter. The Soiree has been am event that she led since 2022 and it has grown from strength to strength. As mentioned there were over 20 different acts, with a quite a few performing multiple pieces. The instruments and styles of music were varied which speaks of the team’s willingness to allow students to develop their talent in the best way they can.

 

Well done everyone.

 

Student Achievements

Congratulations to Xavier Lindsay on his winning the Morrish Medal as the best and fairest player in the Coates Talent League Boys competition. He polled 21 votes to finish two ahead of runner-up. 

 

Also, this year Xavier has earned the All Australian selection after producing several outstanding performances for Victoria Country at the Marsh AFL National Championships. Additionally, he wore the Australia jumper as part of the Marsh AFL National Academy Boys program in their game against the Footscray Bulldogs VFL side in April.

 

Lucas Halden,  will be heading to Manchester over the term break to take part in the Euro Football Star programme. 

 

Principal’s Appraisal

The final part of the Appraisal took place on both Monday, 9 September and Tuesday, 10 September. 

 

The panel consisted of: Ms Debra Punton – Panel Chair - Deputy Director: Catholic Identity, Leadership, Learning and Teaching - nominee of the Director of Catholic Education, Diocese of Sale; Ms Lisa Harkin – Principal, Marist-Sion College, Warragul – nominee of the Principal; and Ms Elizabeth Gleeson - Independent Consultant - nominee of Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited (DOSCEL) 

 

I have received the final report and next term I will share key elements of the outcomes with the community via the Newsletter.

 

I thank those who participated in the interviews last week.

 

Below is an overview of the process;

  • Survey Results from staff and community were collated and reviewed
  • I prepared a Self-Reflection Report distributed to Panel members before the visit to Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College. 
  • A tour of the school facilities was conducted on Day 1. 
    • I nominated members from this school community for interview with the Panel as follows: Leadership Team: five Senior Middle Leaders; Six Middle leaders; 10 other members of teaching and support staff; College Captains and Vice Captains, Justice Captains and four Year 11 students who I am teaching this year; and three members of the School Advisory Committee.  
    • Members of the DOSCEL Secretariat provided reports: The Chief Financial Officer; Team Coordinator: Employment Relations / Human Resources; and the Managers of Catholic Identity, Leadership, Learning and Teaching.
    • Feedback from our Parish Priests.

Overall, the process was very affirming, but also provided robust recommendations. The list that follows is general, but more details will be shared. Key areas related to: learning focus, leadership structure and development, measurement of leadership on outcomes, system alignment with DOSCEL, ensuring differentiation takes place for students, and promoting Catholic identity.

 

Staffing News 

At the end of this term, we will farewell two staff members:

David Robinson, who will commence teaching at Community College Gippsland in Leongatha; and

Julie Charles will be spending more time with family.

 

With David Robinson’s departure,  I am pleased to announce that Melinda Stephan is the successful applicant to replace him as our Acting Year 10 Wellbeing Leader for the remainder of the year. I am sure Melinda will enjoy all of your support.

 

Congratulations to Laura Higgins who earlier this week graduated as a Master of Educational Leadership.

 

Sapientia Domini Docet Nos

 

John M Freeman